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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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The other side of Alice Francisco
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NEW YORK --- Alice Francisco, M.D., newly elected president of the Philippine American Community of Bergen County, Inc., (PACBC) caught our attention once again. This time, it wasn't because of her being a benefactor to a cause or her spiritual pursuits that appealed to many folks who know her but the suspension of her license to practice her profession as a medical doctor in New Jersey and New York.
According to a New Jersey Health Care Profile, her license was suspended on Sept. 15, 2004. On the other hand, the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct Consent Order BPMC No. 03-206, which Francisco agreed to, states that she was precluded to any patient contact and the practice of medicine clinical or otherwise effective Aug. 7, 2003.
In the case of New York, Francisco did not contest the charge of fraudulent practice leveled against her. This meant she was not allowed to "diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any human disease, pain, injury deformity, or physical condition."
In a telephone interview, she said that "my personal cross is my own business and it is my own to bear. It doesn't have to deal with transparency as this pertains to my private life."
She said she regretted signing the Consent Order, which was a result of a bad advice of her lawyer at that time. "In retrospect, I should have not agreed to my lawyer but I was so busy and trusted him. Now, I regret it," quipped Francisco.
She also said that it was all about overpayment of Medicare claims and not about fraud as she did not read all the paperwork that she signed and submitted for payment. "By the way, all that overpayment has been paid in full," Francisco explained.
"I have been maligned many times before but it has never been as vicious as this one," added Francisco, obviously referring to a letter from Joseph Tieng, which contained copies of the order and other documents that was sent to several people.
I've often wondered why Francisco draws the attention of people. Is it her candor? Is it her infectious smile or her cleverness in dealing with people? Or is it because of "her appearance of affluence?"
In an article written years ago by Reuben Seguritan, former president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), he commented that because Dr. Alice Francisco, "is both a high profile community leader and benefactor, Alice is well-recognized in many occasions. An impression of her, likewise, is her predisposition for obsessive flamboyance."
I was intrigued with his use of "obsessive flamboyance." According to the Oxford dictionary, flamboyance means "brightly coloured and showy" and also, "conspicuously and confidently exuberant." To anyone who knows Francisco, Seguritan may have very well chosen the right word to describe her. However, did Seguritan imply something else when he added the word obsessive?
Seguritan wrote his commentary many years ago but the word obsessive still rings a bell to me. Perhaps many folks in the community feel the same way as I do.
With all the accomplishments she has had throughout the years -- in both her public and private life -- why did she decide to run for the presidency of PACBC when she could be using her time in a much more significant way such as writing her spiritual reflections for a newspaper?
"I like challenges. I have prayed for this and God has a purpose for me," she responded, after providing a background of why she ran for office.
For many years, Francisco had led, if not supported, a number of organizations including the Association of Filipino Americans in Bergen County (AFABC), founded by a group of unhappy members who left PACBC. Francisco was one of those that joined this new group but years later, rejoined PACBC. Did she have an eye on the presidency when she rejoined?
Her involvement in the community has generated both positive and negative reaction from people. And as Seguritan wrote in the same commentary, he said: "However guileless she is about self-glorification, it seems little understood that she may inadvertently undermine the very goal she urges Filipinos to aspire for. For how can people unify themselves when their own leader deliberately flaunts her extravagance before those who may not be as blessed?"
I wondered if that observation was still true today now that she is PACBC president.
Nimia Lacebal, PIDCI president, has appointed her chair of the independence ball. I asked Francisco if she was accepting the appointment.
"I told Nimia that I may just be more of a liability to her. I gave her two reasons: first, I would be busy with PACBC and second, I hardly know anyone in PIDCI," she responded. And yes, she said discussions are still going on.
If I were Francisco, I would decline Lacebal's offer. No matter how hard she prays to God for her to accept the chairmanship, she would be better off staying in the background without necessarily getting personally involved in it. If she accepts, she may just be inviting more storms into her days of ordeals.
Francisco may just be misunderstood by some people. But as Seguritan opined, her "flamboyance often becomes part of her appeal" and suggested that "a leader must set an example of humility so that she does not needlessly spawn envy in hearts of her compatriots, and thus alienate or divide them."
Again, Seguritan may have hit a soft spot in Francisco, which I, too, have observed. The Bible says that "humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life." For anything else, it may help Francisco to dwell and reflect upon this passage.
I agree with Francisco saying that we were all created by God with a purpose on earth. However, I do not agree with charismatic practices. But that's for another story.
Lest I be rebuked for misinterpreting a passage from the Bible that says: "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart," I better leave off with that verse in mind.
Alice Francisco has accepted responsibility for her sins of the past, which she claims she regrets deeply. She is hurt, she said, but she will pray for continued grace from God and for Him to touch the hearts of her detractors to have love, peace and joy.
That's the other side of Francisco.
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com or visit Website at PinoyOnBoard.com.
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Missing In Action No More
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The calls have come from Jersey to Australia. They’ve noticed I’ve been M.I.A. “I didn’t read your column this week – where have you been?” And then there is my neighbor who recently e-mailed to say – “What happened to you? You seem to have disappeared since you got pregnant.” Cue fanfare here. Yes, I am pregnant with baby number two! And unlike the first time, I am lethargic and my belly is as big as a pakwan (watermelon)– and the baby isn’t due till next spring! So there. That is my excuse.
We are very happy and excited about the new baby. I have no weird cravings this time except the usual heightened hankering for Pinoy food. Luckily my OB-GYN is in Edison, NJ where Asian/Pinoy restaurants are plenty. My family and I feast at Sam’s Grille after every doctor’s visit. And then there’s that small jar of bagoong given by my girl friend Jenny which has saved many a mealtime. I add it to rice, to meat to anything – ‘cept I’m careful not to let my husband smell it. (What is THAT?) And when I’m feeling a little creative, I flip through Marilyn Donato’s Philippine Cooking in America – one of the best Pinoy cookbooks I’ve seen. It’s pretty straightforward with easy-to-follow recipes – and she’s even put in substitutes for certain ingredients that can only be found in the Philippines. (visit: www.broadprints.com/philamcookbook/cookbook.htm) Yummy. Hey, I gotta eat for two now, remember?
Meanwhile, I am preparing my older son to be “Kuya.” I have told his American cousins that this is what we will probably ask the baby to call him. And I am slowly letting my boy know what his “Kuya” (Big Brother) responsibilities will be. I am “Ate” and even as my brother turned a year older, (his last on the kalendaryo) last month, I am always and forever Ate to him, our youngest sister and both their school friends as well as to all my younger cousins. And even in the eyes of my dad, I will always be “Ate.” This is something I’ve had to explain to my husband. As some of you will know, the concept of “seniority” and “birth order” hardly make a difference in American families. Being a big sister just ain’t the same as being “Ate” or “Kuya.” Being a big sister/brother here just means that you had the fortune or misfortune of being born first while being Ate/Kuya means you are responsible for your younger siblings, you are their role-model and this “privilege” which at times can be a burden, lasts well into adulthood.
Surely this “Ate” subject can be the theme of a longer discourse, but for now, I’d like to sign off with the words of another Ate – Ate Luds (the late Inday Badiday) : “Saranghameda.” Stay tuned.
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Why not give the gift of books by Pinoy authors this Christmas to your friends and loved ones? “Missing Mangoes – For Filipinos and Those Who Love Us” is available from www.xlibris.com and www.amazon.com. Also check out the print version of the awesome e-zine Our Own Voice – e-mail Reme Antonia- Grefalda at our_own_voice@ yahoo.com. And finally you can get tons of other books by Filipinos from Philippine Expressions Bookshop, 2114 Trudie Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-2006, Tel. No.: (310) 514-9139 E-mail: lindanietes@earthlink.net.
Salamat!
For suggestions and comments, e-mail: manilagirl01@hotmail.com.
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